Can You Travel Overseas While Your 801 or 100 Partner Visa Stage 2 Is Processing?

Yes, many applicants can travel overseas while the permanent Subclass 801 or Subclass 100 Partner Visa stage is processing. The critical question is not simply whether Stage 2 is pending—it is what visa you currently hold and whether it lets you return to Australia.

If you hold a Subclass 820

A Subclass 820 holder should check VEVO before travel and confirm the visa remains in effect. Do not assume an old Bridging Visa A controls your travel if the 820 has already been granted.

If you hold a Subclass 309

Home Affairs states that a Subclass 309 holder can travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while the provisional visa remains in effect.

Can the 801 or 100 be granted while you are overseas?

Yes. Current Home Affairs guidance states that applicants can be in or outside Australia when the Department decides both the Subclass 801 and Subclass 100 permanent Partner Visa.

What if you are still on a bridging visa?

A Bridging Visa A does not provide a right to leave Australia and return. If your substantive visa has ended and you need to travel while relying on a bridging visa, you generally need to consider a Bridging Visa B before departure. Leaving Australia on the wrong bridging-visa position can create serious re-entry problems.

Keep Home Affairs updated while overseas

• Monitor ImmiAccount and email for requests.
• Keep passport details current.
• Update residential or contact details where they change.
• Continue providing current relationship evidence.
• Check police-certificate implications if you spend extended periods in another country.

Case example

An 820 holder submitted the 801 Stage 2 assessment and then travelled overseas for a family event. The applicant checked VEVO before departure, kept ImmiAccount monitored and remained outside Australia when the 801 decision was made. Current rules permitted the permanent visa to be granted while the applicant was overseas.

Do not confuse application location with decision location

The original 820 application has an onshore application-location requirement, while the original 309 application has an offshore application-location requirement. The permanent 801 and 100 decision rules now allow the applicant to be in or outside Australia when decided.

For the underlying pathways, see our 820/801 Partner Visa hub and 309/100 Partner Visa hub.

General information only. Always check VEVO and your current visa before leaving Australia.